Uneasy lies the head...

The dynasty's juggernaut rolls on unopposed in the Congress. Despite all the talk about dynastic politics and its bane, the Crown Prince of the Nehru-Gandhi's fiefdom is all set to take over reigns of the grand old party as a sixth member of the family. It was nearly a 100 years ago - 98 to be precise - that Motilal Nehru took over as the President of the Congress Party at Amritsar.

In fact, he served twice, the second time again in 1928. In 1929, when it was time for Motilal Nehru to lay down office, he did not call for election. Instead, he passed on the mantle to his son, Jawaharlal. The followers of the two and their families rejoiced and thus was born the powerful clan of Nehru-Gandhi, as it is now known as in the party. Of course, Mahatma Gandhi's blessings were there for this dynastic rule then. So, one might say, dynasty is the Congress's DNA.

It is a proprietary right of the members of the clan to succeed. That is why Rahul Gandhi perhaps expounded his philosophy on the inevitability of his succession in the recent times arguing that just as Ambanis' succeed to the throne he too should be. However, he also added, for a good measure then, "the real question is whether the person is a capable and a sensitive person".

Is Rahul really a capable and sensitive person to lead his family enterprise? Moreover, India is not a private property or a business entity as Rahul presumes it to be while comparing his elevation to that of junior Ambani. He may have a birthright to take over the party reigns and join hands with other dynasts like Akhilesh Yadav and Stalin to rule the country. It is not going to be as simple as that for Rahul Gandhi. The younger generation has become more aspirational while also being short on patience.

It is experimental and does not mind throwing parties and leaderships into dustbins. Internally too, the jostling for space around him would be intense. There are too many hawks and sharks in the party who have retained their power. Transforming the party into a youthful joint is not going to be easier. Everyone in the party just heaved a sigh of relief seeing Rahul file his nomination as that part was the biggest challenge for Sonia Gandhi all these years.

It is simply because Rahul Gandhi just hems and haws and comes out on both sides of every question. This would be his major constraint in uniting the Opposition. Rahul's refusal to own up mistakes could be an unwelcoming feature within the party. He has been nurtured with great care and in a highly sanitized atmosphere where no criticism could touch him and no regret could ever embrace him. This limits his exposure to the realities of politics and life. Anyway Viva Le Roi!